LUDLOW — The Planning Board has approved a proposed amendment to town zoning bylaws permitting a medical marijuana treatment center / dispensary which will be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen for inclusion on the May town meeting warrant.

The town had approved a moratorium on medical marijuana facilities that will expire on May 14. Town Planner Douglas Stefancik said the purpose of the moratorium was to give the community time to develop a regulation permitting the facilities.

According to the proposed amendment to the zoning bylaws, a medical marijuana treatment center / dispensary would be allowed in Ludlow following site plan approval and a special permit from the Planning Board. A facility would be allowed in Industrial A and Industrial C districts.

Police Chief Paul Madera, who helped design Ludlow's proposed bylaw, said the town needs to have something in place.

"The smaller communities could face this as well," the chief said. He said that Ludlow, with its location off the Massachusetts Turnpike and near Springfield and other communities, could see an application at some point.

"This is a simple bylaw," Madera said. "It's a good way to go."

Planning Board Chairman Raymond Phoenix said he was concerned it was a double standard to try to "hide away the facilities in an industrial zone" because medical marijuana is now legal.

Planning Board member Christopher Coelho said a facility would have to be located in an industrial zone because according to the state law the dispensary and the production facility must be combined.